Homicide or accident? You decide.

A body has been found in a creek by a hiker just off a bike trail. It is partially clothed with one shoe missing and obvious head wounds. The body was found in an area that is not seen readily from the bike trail due to the slope of the creek. A skateboard is found on the trail adjacent to where the body is found. A spot of apparent blood is reported atthe edge of the bike trail and on the skateboard. There was a volcanic eruptionin the area recently. Investigation: As the lead investigator in this case, which of the following tasks/leads would you consider at the crime scene and in which particular order?

1. Look for identification on the body.

2.Notify the Medical Examiner to determine if head injury is sufficient tocause death.

3.Have the forensic laboratory analyze blood on trail and match it toblood on skateboard and from body.

4. Tape off area with crime scene tape to ensure integrity of scene.

5. Determine or have someone determine time of death.

6. Videotape body and scene.

7.Notify next of kin.

8. Determine who is missing in the area.

9. Ask the news media to please ask those using the trail recently tocontact you.

10. Identify the brand name of the skateboard and where it was purchased.

11. Determine if identifying marks exist on the skateboard.

12. Determine if there was foul play or if a fall from the skateboard was thecause of death.

13. Determine exact time of volcanic eruption.

14. After determining the victim's ID, ask friends about lifestyle ofdeceased.

15. Attempt to locate missing shoe.

16. Take digital pictures of scene including area, skateboard, and wheredeceased was located.

17. Have Toxicology exam done on the remains.

18. Should Toxicology exam be requested, what drugs would you requestbe identified.

19. Determine if dogs usually roam the area.

20. Determine weather at that location for the last few days.

21. Come up with scenarios of what may have happened and sketch scenes.

22. Determine if where the body was found is also where the individualhad died (i.e., is this a primary or secondary crime scene?)

23. Draw a sketch of scene.

24. Determine if the skateboard is tuned and in good working order.

25. Determine if the skateboard has had light or heavy use.